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Police Use Facebook Photo to Solve Crime

(ABC 6 News) -- People often say that with technology and social media you can do anything. Even solve a crime. Late last week, Rochester Police caught a crook using nothing more than a Facebook photo.

It all started when the victim, who is currently overseas on vacation, was looking through a few photos on Facebook.

He noticed one in particular where an acquaintance of his was wearing a very unique and expensive watch.

Zooming in on the picture he realized the guy was wearing his watch. Which was supposed to be locked away in a safe at his Rochester home.

He immediately called police and reported the crime. Investigators searched the man's home and found not only the watch but the safe it was kept in.

Police say they're not surprised to see social media being used more in their investigations.

"You are exposing that post to a large number of people, many of which you don't know. You don't know what their intent would be when they view these postings. You don't know if they're looking at your property or if they're looking at your family,” Rochester Police Captain Brian Winters says.

Police strongly suggest waiting to post your vacation pictures until you get back home.

Burglars could easily put two and two together. If you're out on vacation that means there is an empty home just waiting to be broken into.